Innovative Projects Realized

Combining Microfluidics with Molecular Computing for Automated Bio-analysis

Our bodies respond to disease and pathogens by changing the expression levels of many different genes. These changes are currently only measurable using expensive instruments and analyzed using complex software, both of which are often unavailable at low-resource and remote settings. The goal of this project is to establish a novel technology for measuring these multi-gene expression changes and producing a diagnosis, while remaining cheap, portable, and easy-to- use (i.e., automated). We will tackle this challenge by combining three cutting-edge technologies: DNA computing, artificial intelligence, and microfluidics. In DNA computing, molecules of DNA act as physical wires that carry signals and perform calculations. In comparison to electronic computers, such DNA-based computers are much smaller, and can interface directly with patient- derived genetic information without other expensive instruments. In this project, we will use DNA to build an artificial intelligence model, which can perform classification of diseases based on the expression of multiple genes from patient samples. We will further integrate the DNA model into a microfluidic device which will enhance the speed, precision, and throughput of its computation, as well as its ease-of-use through automation.

Ocean Straws

The goal of this research is to utilize alternative sources to plastic in the development of straws. This makes use of natural and biodegradable materials to source for the development and testing of straws.

Jiaru Ni Internship

Project 1
StrokeSENS™ is a software as a service business aimed at providing physicians with an acute stroke decision aid tool, that will
leverage artificial intelligence (AI), advanced image-processing, and network connectivity to support physicians and other
healthcare team members to simplify stroke care, with a focus on enabling front line stroke centers. Circle NVI’s mission is to
simplify stroke care by augmenting front-line physician decision making.
Project 2
Circle Cardiovascular Imaging is a software medical device Manufacturer based in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Circle Cardiovascular
imaging creates multiple products for the analysis of patient images for assisting the diagnosis of cardiac and neurological
diseases. cvi42 Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance/Computed Tomography Imaging Software Application (referred to as
cvi42) is a software as a medical device (SaMD) that is intended for evaluating CT and MR images of the cardiovascular system.
Combining digital image processing, visualization, quantification, and reporting tools, cvi42 is designed to support the physician
in the evaluation and analysis of cardiovascular imaging studies.
All those project that keeps evolving and getting new functionalities that need to be continually tested by the QA team member and
the funding through this BSI internship will enable us to have a Quality Assurance (QA) team member to work with both the
platform development team as well as the R&D team. The idea of switching the intern through those project is to expose them
to different technologies and test strategies so they can learn as much as possible in the period they will be collaborating with
us.

SSE_BISSONNETTE-MUSÉE AMBULANT-Chouinard – Développement philanthropique du Musée Ambulant

Ce projet de stage propose d’élaborer, en collaboration avec l’organisme partenaire, une nouvelle stratégie de financement permettant de s’affranchir du financement public. Il s’agit donc de mettre en place des activités et des relations permettant à l’organisme partenaire de se positionner dans le monde philanthropique et d’y trouver de nouvelles sources de financement. Ce projet permettra à l’organisme d’obtenir plus de financement pour accroitre ses activités et avoir une plus grande influence sur la démocratisation culturelle et artistique.

Developing Private Natural Language Processing (NLP) model for Enterprise Data

We want to create an artificial intelligent assistant for businesses. It uses state-of-art Natural Language Processing models to understand what people say and seamlessly converting it into computer executable orders. For example, if someone asks, “How much did we spend on training?” it can turn that it into a meticulously structured SQL query such as “Select sum(cost) from training”.

This AI assistant will also make sure that important company information is safe and can be adjusted to work just right for each business. This allows us to leverage the capabilities of AI-powered natural language processing while also ensuring the protection of sensitive enterprise data. .

Managing Equipment, Supplies and Transport Services for Clients with Cancer

The Cancer Assistance Program (CAP) role since inception has been to provide free practical services to those impacted by cancer. Services provide person-centred care, improving cancer patients’ quality of life, helping to alleviate the emotional, physical and financial implications of a cancer diagnosis. The scope of service is specific, practical, tangible, and focused on removing barriers to accessing healthcare that social determinants of health create. Services include:
– Free drives to cancer appointments;
– Home health safety equipment loans for safe cancer care at home care;
– Personal care items for nutritional and psychosocial support;
– Home delivery of home-safety equipment and nutritional supports;
– Access to education podcasts with cancer experts for cancer-management decisions.

This project continues CAP’s work to develop an integrated client and inventory management system which provides significant improvements in efficiency and the ability of CAP to serve their community.

Développement d’une librairie de structures de contrôle de procédés

L’intégration de dispositifs et systèmes micro-électro-mécaniques nécessitent un contrôle très précis des étapes de microfabrication et des matériaux microélectroniques qui sont utilisés dans ce processus. Chaque étape de procédé doit être validé avec des structures tests aussi appelées PCM (“Process Control Monitoring”). Ces PCMs permettent, entre autres choses, de valider les épaisseurs et propriétés mécaniques et physiques des films minces déposés, ainsi que de valider les dimensions et accomplissement des étapes de microfabrication comme la gravure, la lithographie ou le collage.
Le but de ce projet est de mettre en place une librairie de structures tests de type PCMs au C2MI pour contrôler les étapes de microfabrication et l’intégration complète des dispositifs ainsi que de faire un suivi des équipements et procédés. Cette librairie comprendra la conception des PCMs, une base de dessin de structures avec des guides, ainsi que les protocoles de caractérisation.

Business case software for strawberry production in greenhouses

The proposal of a comprehensive solution to creating a price-competitive berry production solution to alleviate Canada’s food vulnerability is impossible without a complete understanding of the business case model. Argus is in a unique position to leverage its relationship with the growers in the market, as well as its vast experience to provide a view to all inputs and outputs of the existing strawberry business case, robust to locale & time of year. This will help understand the current pain points, barriers to large-scale implementation, and qualities to make the product attractive to commercial food procurement partners and Canadian consumers. This business case model will be structured to facilitate scenario comparisons and can be leveraged to evaluate innovations planned in the project and forecast the likelihood of success.

The effect of perovskite dopants on their opto-electronic properties for understanding solar cell performance

The performance of solar cells in underpinned by many parameters. Of importance is the constitutional composition of the light harvesting material and its periodic structure. Towards developing efficient materials, the effect of molecular structure of the light harvester and the subsequent electron transfer processes must be adequately understood. The project goal is to fill the void of such understanding by evaluating how the optical properties of perovskites are affected by dopants. The intern will prepare perovskites with various dopants and evaluate the opto-electronic properties of the light harvesting material that can be used in solar cells.

Hybridization of exosomes with liposomes for nucleic acid delivery

Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) have tremendous therapeutic potential, as recently shown by the development of messenger RNA vaccines against COVID-19. To fulfill their function in a patient, nucleic acids need to be encapsulated inside lipid-based nanoparticles (LPs), such as liposomes, but their synthetic nature leads to clearance by the immune system. This hampers nucleic acid delivery to diseased organs like the brain, heart and kidneys. Natural nanoparticles such as extracellular vesicles (EVs), namely the “exosomes” and “microvesicles” subsets, can circumvent those hindrances but are difficult to load with nucleic acids. This project aims at making hybrids from EVs and LPs that combine both their strengths, i.e., eliciting little immune response and achieving high nucleic acid encapsulation. Optimal parameters to produce nucleic acid-loaded hybrids will be determined by investigating their physicochemical properties. Then, hybrids efficiency in delivering nucleic acids to human cell lines will be assessed and compared to clinical standards. The expected outcome is an outperformance of the hybrid particles, that could be the basis of future therapeutics targeting key diseased organs.

Implantation de stratégies de mitigation des émissions de gaz et de bioaérosols en étable à stabulation libre

La production animale entraine de nombreux défis et des pressions exercées par la société concernant la tendance du marché international et l’exigence de systèmes de production plus respectueux du bien-être animal et de l’environnement. Le secteur laitier assiste à une transition des étables à stabulation entravée (SE) vers de nouvelles étables à stabulation libre (SL). En raison de l’activité accrue des vaches dans les aires d’alimentation et de couchage dans cette nouvelle configuration d’élevage, la qualité de l’air peut être affectée. Ce projet vise premièrement à évaluer des stratégies permettant d’améliorer la qualité de l’air dans la nouvelle configuration d’élevage. Ensuite, une stratégie ou une combinaison de stratégies, la ou les plus pertinente(s) sera implanté dans une ferme commerciale. Ainsi, la réalisation du projet permettra le transfert de connaissances et de technologies sur la gestion de nouvelles étables à stabulation libre qui seront nombreux au Canada et au Québec.

Analyse des effets du laboratoire managérial sur la culture organisationnelle au sein du CHU Sainte Justine

Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine (CHUSJ), centre hospitalier universitaire à vocation pédiatrique, joue un rôle central dans le système de santé du Québec. En tant qu’hôpital mère-enfant principal au Canada, le deuxième plus grand centre de recherche pédiatrique et le premier centre de recherche clinique en pédiatrie, le CHUSJ a un engagement constant pour se positionner à l’avant-garde des pratiques de gestion dans le domaine de la santé. L’évolution du contexte et les défis persistants tels que la pénurie de personnel et les pressions sur les hôpitaux pour une efficacité accrue, créent continuellement de nouvelles complexités pour les gestionnaires du CHUSJ. Dans le cadre d’un programme de recherche en sciences de gestion, le centre hospitalier nourrit l’ambition de devenir un chef de file en matière de gestion et de leadership au sein du réseau de la santé et des services au Québec.
A cet effet, un des projets phares institué par l’École de Gestion du CHUSJ dans les dernières années est la conception et le déploiement d’un laboratoire d’expérimentation en gestion. Le laboratoire accueille cet automne sa deuxième cohorte de gestionnaires-participants, provenant de différents secteurs du CHUSJ. La présente recherche vise à analyser les effets de ce laboratoire, soit d’étudier comment